Of course you HAVE to start off Bay Area thrash month with the greatest thrash band of ALL TIME!!! It was my first time seeing Tom back on the kit since his return. He still totally rips!!! Of course! He hasn't lost a damn thing. The Hunting beat returns!!! Gary's line was "you can call him Tom or "The Best Drummer in Thrash Metal!!!". Well "THE thrash beat" is pretty much all his. Some of Baloff's cremains were on stage for the encore. Seriously! Gary is donating them to become part of a metal bar in Brazil. That'll be nice vacation for Paul. I'm still take it or leave it with the new guy but he is starting to settle in. He sure knows the bay area are his toughest critics and the "i'm from NY but this is my second home now" did nothing to win anyone over. Some old school locals beyhind me weren't haven't any of it though. The perfectly timed "you fucking suck!!!!" gang shouts in the audience participation parts of Blacklist were absolutely hilarious.

I was really stoked for this one. THROUGH EYES OF GLASS!!!!! The recently reunited thrashers did some small town warm up gigs during the week but the two Slim's shows opening for Death Angel were the real deal reunion shows. The original "Forbidden Evil" album lineup minus Bostaph plus Gene Hoglan. Russ' range is a little narrower but hey, he's a guy would could stand to lose a little of the high end right? (just a little). It's good to see Gene back to playing some real metal for a change. He stayed mostly true to the original Bostaph parts with just a touch of Hoglan thrown in. Alvelais ripped but his gtr coulda used a little more on the fader.

/ March Into Fire / Out of Body, Out of Mind / Feel No Pain / Twisted Into Form / Off the Edge / Through Eyes of Glass / Hypnotized By The Rhythm / One Foot in Hell / Phat / Step by Step / Infinite / Chalice of Blood /

This was the original CD release show until the announced a 2nd show on the Thursday night after this one sold out. A full set of Forbidden's full-on metal stylings made this set just a little too rock. I think they ripped harder at the Slim's show that they opened for Destruction. I guess that had to prove their metal more that night or something. Tons from the new album here of course.

If you're a fan of the last album (like me) then this was your show. Check out that setlist. They followed up Viscious Rumours and Laaz Rockit (who were lame until "Mad Dog" Zetro got on stage to sing his fav tune and showed their Seinfeld-esque singer how to fucken attack a stage) so something darker was certainly welcome. They ripped it! Steve even had the minimoog out for NoMore. I need was more gtr where i was (in front of Darren) but everytime he stepped away from mic there was some excellent bleed through. This was my first time seeing them. They need to play more bay area gigs.

/ Out for Blood / Can't Bring Me Down / No More / Sick / Freedom / Sadus Attack / Lost It All / In Your Face / Eyes of Greed / Certain death (FAST!) /

SKOLNICK! SKOLNICK! SKOLNICK!Same venue as last time but with Bostaph behind the kit. Things were a little looser this time than with the super sonic insaniac Barker at the helm. The band is still at the top of their form though which is so great to see. They're certainly more than ready for the Priest/Sabbath/Motorhead tour which was announced shortly after this show. Zetro made an appearance on stage this time (following some coaxing from Chuck). His total mad dog approach was in full effect this night. Get this guy back where he belongs. Please.

/ Over the Wall / Into the Pit / Apocalyptic City / Practice What You Preach / The New Order / Low / Trail of Tears / Henchmen Ride (new) / The Evil Has Landed (new) / Souls of Black / The Preacher /------DN fucken R / Three Days in Darkness / Alone in the Dark (w/ Zetro) / Disciples of the Watch /